Plan a flight · Mon 9:04 am CDT (14:04 UTC)

Chicago Midway International to City Of Colorado Springs Municipal MDW → COS

795 nautical miles (915 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 263°, about 267° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4W). At 120 knots that is 8 h 12 min at the quickest height in today's winds (10,500 ft, a 23-knot headwind), arriving about 4:16 pm MDT (22:16 UTC). Right now MDW is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 9 knots; COS is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 16 knots, gusting to 25. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools. Airlines fly this pair: 374 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.

The route the straight line, the warnings crossed, restrictions, pilot reports and the airports along the way · click a mark for its words

Green, blue, red and purple airport dots are the flying conditions reported there now (VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, low IFR); grey means no report. Red areas are SIGMETs, orange areas AIRMETs, hatched red areas temporary flight restrictions. Map tiles: OpenFreeMap, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Warnings the route crosses SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area the line passes through or comes within 25 nm of

AIRMET TANGO 2W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Over the route from 288 to 457 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the last 99 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the last 20 nm of the route.

A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft; an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments. "From 60 to 180 nm out" is measured along the route from MDW.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

urgent C172 at 6,700 ft, 46 nm north, 7:54 am CDT (12:54 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 10 knots during the climb. At the destination end, 46 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
APA UUA /OV KAPA/TM 1254/FL067/TP C172/RM LLWS +/- 10 KTS DURC
```
Report
an urgent report filed through APA
Where
over KAPA
Time
12:54 UTC
Height
at 6,700 ft
Aircraft
C172
Remarks
low-level wind shear + 10 knots during the climb
urgent FA7X at 6,800 ft, 46 nm north, 7:40 am CDT (12:40 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear a 40-knot loss of airspeed knots during the climb runway 35R. At the destination end, 46 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
APA UUA /OV KAPA/TM 1240/FL068/TP FA7X/RM LLWS -40 KTS DURC RY 35R
```
Report
an urgent report filed through APA
Where
over KAPA
Time
12:40 UTC
Height
at 6,800 ft
Aircraft
FA7X
Remarks
low-level wind shear a 40-knot loss of airspeed knots during the climb runway 35R
urgent TBM7 at 100 ft, 45 nm north, 7:30 am CDT (12:30 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear a 10-knot loss of airspeed. At the destination end, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
APA UUA /OV APA140001/TM 1230/FL001/TP TBM7/TB LGT CHOP/RM LLWS +-10KTS
```
Report
an urgent report filed through APA
Where
1 nm southeast (140°) of APA
Time
12:30 UTC
Height
at 100 ft
Aircraft
TBM7
Turbulence
light chop
Remarks
low-level wind shear a 10-knot loss of airspeed
C172 at 9,500 ft, 12 nm northwest, 7:43 am CDT (12:43 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. At the destination end, 12 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
COS UA /OV BRK348/005/TM 1243/FL095/TP C172/TB TB MOD CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through COS
Where
BRK348/005
Time
12:43 UTC
Height
at 9,500 ft
Aircraft
C172
Turbulence
turbulence moderate chop
C172 at 200 ft, 47 nm north, 7:35 am CDT (12:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear a 15-knot loss of airspeed. At the destination end, 47 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
APA UA /OV APA350001/TM 1235/FL002/TP C172/TB MOD TURB/RM LLWS +-15KTS
```
Report
a routine report filed through APA
Where
1 nm north (350°) of APA
Time
12:35 UTC
Height
at 200 ft
Aircraft
C172
Turbulence
moderate turbulence
Remarks
low-level wind shear a 15-knot loss of airspeed
B738 descending, 47 nm northwest, 7:55 am CDT (12:55 UTC): moderate turbulence from 16,000 ft to 20,000 ft. At the destination end, 47 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV 40SW DEN/TM 1255/FLDURD/TP B738/TB MOD 200-160
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
40SW den
Time
12:55 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B738
Turbulence
moderate from 20,000 ft to 16,000 ft
B39M at 36,000 ft, 27 nm north, 8:18 am CDT (13:18 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PWK UA /OV OBK/TM 1318/FL360/TP B39M/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through PWK
Where
over OBK
Time
13:18 UTC
Height
at 36,000 ft
Aircraft
B39M
Turbulence
none
A321 at 32,000 ft, 43 nm north, 7:25 am CDT (12:25 UTC): light chop turbulence. 179 nm along the route, 43 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CID UA /OV CID360010/TM 1225/FL320/TP A321/TB INTMT LGT CHOP CONS LGT CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through CID
Where
10 nm north (360°) of CID
Time
12:25 UTC
Height
at 32,000 ft
Aircraft
A321
Turbulence
intermittent light chop continuous light chop
B38M at 18,000 ft, 30 nm south, 8:04 am CDT (13:04 UTC): light chop turbulence. 338 nm along the route, 30 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EVU UA /OV EVU/TM 1304/FL180/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through EVU
Where
over EVU
Time
13:04 UTC
Height
at 18,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
continuous light chop
B38M at 17,000 ft, 22 nm north, 7:41 am CDT (12:41 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: during the climb. 407 nm along the route, 22 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LNK UA /OV LNK/TM 1241/FL170/TP B38M/TB NEG/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through LNK
Where
over LNK
Time
12:41 UTC
Height
at 17,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
none
Remarks
during the climb
B38M at 39,000 ft, 33 nm north, 7:43 am CDT (12:43 UTC): light chop turbulence. 517 nm along the route, 33 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HSI UA /OV HSI270030/TM 1243/FL390/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through HSI
Where
30 nm west (270°) of HSI
Time
12:43 UTC
Height
at 39,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
continuous light chop
C172 at 7,800 ft, 40 nm north, 8:57 am CDT (13:57 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence. At the destination end, 40 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
APA UA /OV APA150006/TM 1357/FL078/TP C172/TB LGT-MOD CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through APA
Where
6 nm southeast (150°) of APA
Time
13:57 UTC
Height
at 7,800 ft
Aircraft
C172
Turbulence
light to moderate chop
B737 at 17,000 ft, 23 nm north, 7:24 am CDT (12:24 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, vfr; clear up to 60,000 ft, remarks: not bad for denver. At the destination end, 23 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV DEN170035/TM 1224/FL170/TP B737/SK VFR/WX SKC/TA UNK/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM NOT BAD FOR DENVER
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
35 nm south (170°) of DEN
Time
12:24 UTC
Height
at 17,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Sky
vfr
Weather
clear sky
Temperature
UNK
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
Remarks
not bad for denver
B737 descending, 49 nm north, 8:26 am CDT (13:26 UTC): light chop turbulence from 16,000 ft to 23,000 ft, wind 235° at 53 knots. At the destination end, 49 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV 25SW DEN/TM 1326/FLDURD/TP B737/WV 235/53/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 230-160
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
25SW den
Time
13:26 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B737
Wind
235/53
Turbulence
occasional light chop from 23,000 ft to 16,000 ft

3 more routine reports are on the map.

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed

The westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 7 forecast points nearest it (JOT, BRL, DSM, OMA, GRI, GLD, PUB). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

Height	Average wind	Head- or tailwind	Temperature	Ground speed	Time en route	Arrival
4,500 ft	250° at 34 kt	+33 kt	23 °C	87 kt	9 h 08 min	5:12 pm MDT (23:12 UTC)
6,500 ft	250° at 28 kt	+28 kt	18 °C	92 kt	8 h 38 min	4:42 pm MDT (22:42 UTC)
8,500 ft	250° at 24 kt	+24 kt	13 °C	96 kt	8 h 17 min	4:21 pm MDT (22:21 UTC)
10,500 ft	240° at 24 kt	+23 kt	9 °C	97 kt	8 h 12 min	4:16 pm MDT (22:16 UTC)
12,500 ft	240° at 25 kt	+24 kt	5 °C	96 kt	8 h 17 min	4:21 pm MDT (22:21 UTC)
14,500 ft	240° at 27 kt	+26 kt	0 °C	94 kt	8 h 27 min	4:31 pm MDT (22:31 UTC)
16,500 ft	240° at 29 kt	+28 kt	-5 °C	92 kt	8 h 38 min	4:42 pm MDT (22:42 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	240° at 30 kt	+30 kt	-8 °C	90 kt	8 h 50 min	4:54 pm MDT (22:54 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	250° at 41 kt	+41 kt	-20 °C	79 kt	10 h 04 min	6:08 pm MDT (00:08 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	260° at 54 kt	+55 kt	-32 °C	65 kt	12 h 14 min	8:18 pm MDT (02:18 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	260° at 65 kt	+65 kt	-37 °C	55 kt	14 h 27 min	10:31 pm MDT (04:31 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	270° at 62 kt	+62 kt	-47 °C	58 kt	13 h 42 min	9:46 pm MDT (03:46 UTC)

Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 UTC; temperatures above 24,000 ft are below zero. Heights are above sea level; a height is left out when the forecast has no wind for it over most of the line (the ground is higher). Ground speed is the airspeed less the headwind; the time en route is for the straight line and ignores climb, descent and routing around weather.

The forecast points as issued

Point	From	3,000	6,000	9,000	12,000	18,000	24,000	30,000	34,000	39,000
JOT	used from 0 nm out; 14 nm from the line	250/25	260/22 14°	250/17 9°	270/21 5°	280/28 -8°	280/36 -20°	270/41 -35°	280/57 -42°	290/65 -50°
BRL	used from 99 nm out; 51 nm from the line	250/32	250/19 17°	260/15 11°	270/16 3°	290/23 -7°	260/42 -20°	270/52 -34°	280/63 -39°	290/64 -48°
DSM	used from 199 nm out; 49 nm from the line	250/47	260/25 20°	240/19 11°	240/31 5°	250/26 -9°	260/38 -20°	260/47 -34°	270/58 -37°	270/61 -47°
OMA	used from 298 nm out; 55 nm from the line	230/47	240/33 21°	230/22 13°	220/27 5°	240/35 -8°	250/43 -21°	260/47 -33°	260/59 -36°	270/58 -46°
GRI	used from 447 nm out; 42 nm from the line		230/39 23°	230/32 15°	210/29 7°	230/31 -8°	230/43 -21°	250/52 -31°	260/59 -35°	260/59 -46°
GLD	used from 547 nm out; 81 nm from the line		260/37	260/25 14°	250/27 8°	230/36 -8°	230/49 -21°	250/71 -30°	260/82 -36°	250/73 -48°
PUB	used from 745 nm out; 41 nm from the line			260/45 11°	240/38 6°	230/47 -8°	230/51 -19°	240/74 -29°	240/82 -35°	250/72 -48°

The weather now: both ends and the airports along the way public airports with a weather report within 25 nm of the line, one for each stretch

Airport	Where	Conditions	Wind	Visibility	Ceiling	Elevation	Reported
MDW Chicago, IL	departure	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 20,000 feet, a few clouds at 25,000 feet	from the southwest (220°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	619 ft	8:53 am CDT (13:53 UTC)
ARR Chicago/Aurora, IL	30 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots	9 mi	none	712 ft	13:52 UTC
MLI Moline, IL	129 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	589 ft	13:52 UTC
OOA Oskaloosa, IA	219 nm out, 3 nm east of the line	marginal VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 10 knots, gusting to 14	5 mi	none	840 ft	13:55 UTC
CNC Chariton, IA	258 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line	VFR	from the south-southwest (200°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	none	1,050 ft	13:55 UTC
SDA Shenandoah, IA	348 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line	VFR	from the south (190°) at 16 knots, gusting to 22	8 mi	none	971 ft	13:50 UTC
LNK Lincoln, NE	407 nm out, 18 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 12 knots, gusting to 19	10+ mi	none	1,218 ft	13:54 UTC
PHG Phillipsburg, KS	537 nm out, 19 nm south of the line	VFR	from the southwest (220°) at 2 knots	10+ mi	none	1,910 ft	13:55 UTC
OIN Oberlin, KS	596 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line	VFR	from the west (260°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	none	2,706 ft	13:55 UTC
ITR Burlington, CO	676 nm out, 10 nm south of the line	VFR	from the south-southwest (200°) at 11 knots	10+ mi	none	4,218 ft	13:53 UTC
LIC Limon, CO	745 nm out, 13 nm north of the line	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	5,374 ft	13:55 UTC
COS Colorado Springs, CO	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet	from the south (190°) at 16 knots, gusting to 25	10+ mi	none	6,187 ft	7:54 am MDT (13:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 6,187 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At COS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:16 pm MDT (22:16 UTC)

Wind from the south-southwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for COS

From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 20,000 feet
From Mon 11:00 am MDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
From Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet

The forecast for MDW, the departure

From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 10,000 feet
From Tue 5:00 am CDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 20,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.

Daylight

Sunset at MDW 6:14 pm CDT (23:14 UTC), at COS 6:23 pm MDT (00:23 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:50 pm MDT (00:50 UTC)).

Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times. Ordinary notices to air missions (closed runways, lights out) are not shown: the FAA's notice search is not open to sites like this one at this time.

Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the northern Rockies · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Plains · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft, observations and terminal forecasts), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes, and the FAA's airport file for the positions, elevations and magnetic variation. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Each leg is the straight line between its two airports; airways, terrain and airspace are not considered. The airports in detail: Chicago Midway International, City Of Colorado Springs Municipal.